Nashua candidates make it official as filing period begins

By KIMBERLY HOUGHTONUnion Leader CorrespondentAugust 28. 2013 12:14AMNASHUA — The filing period has begun, and several candidates seeking various elected positions delivered their nomination papers on Tuesday to run in the general election this fall.

Tuesday was the first day of the filing period, prompting several incumbents to hand in their paperwork early and get a jump start on the campaigning season.

Aldermen-at-Large David Deane, Barbara Pressly and Mark Cookson have officially tossed their hats in the ring, while ward aldermen Dan Moriarty and Diane Sheehan did the same for their sought-after at-large positions.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, just two other aldermanic incumbents, Alderman Richard Dowd, Ward 2, and Alderman Paul Chasse, Ward 6, had registered to seek re-election.

"During the first day, especially the first hour, we had a lot of people turn out," said City Clerk Paul Bergeron.

According to Bergeron, at least one candidate — Moriarty — handed in more than 800 nominating petitions. Moriarty only needed 50 signatures to run for the at-large position, Bergeron said.

A few newcomers registered to run for alderman seats, including Corey Genest and Sean McGuinness for Ward 1, Paul Shea and David Schoneman for Ward 3, Ken Siegel for Ward 9 and Kathy Snyder for Ward 6.

Snyder, of Jalbert Drive, said Tuesday that she is a Nashua native who finally has the time to get involved in local politics.

"I really want to represent Ward 6 and try to get the residents' voices heard and air their concerns," said Snyder. "I definitely think change would be great. I am looking forward to this, and I am excited about the race."

Snyder, 43, is a real estate agent who has been speaking with residents in her ward to gather their insight and input. Synder, a Republican, says she has no agenda, but is ready to put forward honest and ethical work to improve the city, specifically the downtown area."It is a big commitment," said Snyder, adding she is ready for the challenge. If elected, city spending and crime will be two of her major focuses, she added.Three of the six aldermen-at-large positions are up for re-election, including Pressly, Deane and Cookson; all three are seeking another four-year term. All of the nine ward aldermen slots are up for re-election, which will each include two-year terms.There are four Board of Education positions up for re-election, including four-year terms now filled by David Murotake, Thomas Vaughan, Sandra Ziehm and Dennis Ryder.

As of Tuesday, three candidates — Dotty Oden, George Farrington and incumbent Murotake — had filed to seek positions on the school board.

The filing period will close on Sept. 6, according to Bergeron, who said he will post daily updates on the city's website to announce who has filed for various positions. Nashua's municipal general election is slated for Nov. 5, with the inauguration set to take place on Jan. 5, 2014.khoughton@newstote.com